Air-lift system



Patented June 24, 1924.

UNITED ASTATES PATENT orner-z.

JOHN O'LIPHANT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ArnfLr'F'r SYSTEM.

Application iled June 7, 1917. Serial No. 173,383.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN OLIPHANT, a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate ofV Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Lift Systems, 0f which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to air lift systems.

It has for its object to remove the excess head in a deep well in an improved manner. More specifically, my invention has for its object to provide means whereby an air lift system of a given capacity may be used in conjunction with starting wells having a static level in excess of the capacity of the system, improved means being provided whereby the excess in head may be blown olf and the requirements thus reduced to the capacity of the air lift system. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for pur oses of illustration one embodiment whic my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 shows in partial section a side elevation of an air lift system equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of my improved starting valve mechanism.-

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional View of the improved controlling piston mechal nism therefor.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the booster. In this illustrative construction, I have shown my invention applied to an air llft system of standard form including a comthis booster the air is separated from the .liquid in a well known manner and the latpressure in the booster casing may also be controlled by a suitable valve indicated at 11 and preferably connected through a pipe connection 12 with the intake of the compressor.

In my improvement I have provided means whereby when the pump 5 1s placed in a well having such a great submergence as to be beyond the capacity of the compressor 1, the excess head, i. e. the head in excess of the capacity of the compressor, may be blown ofi in starting thesystem in such a manner that the compressor may thereafter operate the system without difficulty. These means, as shown, include a valve seat member 13 `suitably located in the down pipe 4 at'the desired point above the pump 5. As shown, this valve seat member 13 is pr'ovided with a plurality of laterally extending openings 14 disposed in a plurality of series and in staggered relation. Cooperating with this member 13, is a movable valve member 15, herein reciprocable relative to the member 13 and ada ted to close'or open the ports lll-therein. bviously, this member may be located either within or without the member 13, but in the form shown herein it is illustrated as within that member and'also hollow, as indicated at 16, and provided with open ends 17 in such a manner that it may not interfere with the air supplied to the pump 5 through the down pipe 4. ,As illustrated, this member is also provided with a taper it within the member 13, the same being provided with an inclined lower edge 18 ada ted to have a taper it with the correspon ingly formed surface on the inside of the member 13. Obviously, by adjusting this member 15 relative to the ports 14 in the member 13, the flow through those ports may be regulated.

In the form of my improvement shown herein, it will be noted that this member 15 is connected through a suitable connection 19 with a piston 20 carried in a suitable cylinder 21 disposed above the booster casing 7 and preferably above the connection of the pipe 3 to the down pipe 4. As shown, a T 22 acts to'connect these last two pipes. Carried in the upper end of this T is also a suitable threaded member 23 which acts to support the cylinder. This member 23 in turn has longitudinally disposed openings24 therein communicating with the under side of the piston 20, and a central axial opening 25 adapted to re.

ceive the member 19 or an extension thereof. As shown, this member 19 is in the form of a pipe and is connected at its upper end and below the member 22 to the lower end of an extension or piston rod in the form of a bolt 26, a pipe connection 27 `having openings 28 therein being used to permit a portion of the air supply flowing through the T to enter into the pipe 19 an move down the same into the hollow valve member 15, an axial opening 29 being provided in the latter beneath the point of attachment of the lower end of the member 19thereto. Obviously, through the construction just described, when air is admitted to the down pipe 4, a certain proportion of the ysame will `iiow up through the passages 24 beneath the piston 2O and thereby cause the same to be moved upward in its cylinder 21 to lift the vinner valve member 15 and open the ports 14 in such a manner that a portion of the air passing down through the down pipe may flow out through the ports 14 and thereby lift the excess head into the booster.

Cooperating with my improved mechanism just described, I have also provided` means whereby if desired the range of movement of the piston 20 may be regulated to correspond with variable conditions, these means beingshown herein to include an adjusting member 30, adjustable from the ground level .and extending downward into the cylinder 21 through a suitable nut 31. Obviously, by adjusting this member 30, the range of movement ofthe piston, and therefore the amount which the valve member 15 is opened, may be regulated as desired. As shown, the piston 20 is also adjustably connected on the bolt 26 by means of top and bottom nuts 32. Thus, it will be evident that not only may the range of movement of the piston 2O be adjusted as desired by the member 30 at a point exterior to the cylinder 21, but the piston itself may be adjusted through its connection 19, 26 by suitable adjustment of the nuts '32 in such a manner as to avoid any sticking of the valve.

Cooperating with this improved mechanism, I have also provided improved means whereby after the excess head has been blown off the piston 2O may be automatically operated to depress the valve member 15 and thereby close the ports 14. These means, as shown, include a passage 33 communicating with the lower end of the cylinder 21 and connected through a bypass 34 with a similar passage 35 communicating with the upper end of this cylinder. By this construction, it will be noted that when the pressure passing through the port 33 to the upper surface `of the piston has been built up to such apoint that it equalizes the pressure exerted upon the lower face of the piston, the piston will drop of its own weight in such a manner as to depress the connection 19 and the valve 15 and thereby close the ports 14 so that all the air may pass to the pump 5.

In order that the mechanism may be adapted to varying conditions, it will be noted that I have provided means whereby the time `of operation of this automatically acting mechanism may be adjusted to suit diderent conditions. As shown, these means assume the form of a suitable valve 36, shown herein as a needle valve, in the bypass connection 33, 34, 35. Obviously, by the adjustment of this valve, the supply of air to the upper surface of the piston 20""may be regulated as desired and an ad! justable time element thus inserted between the opening of the valve 15 and the closure thereof. It will also be noted that in order to further augment this time element, I may provide, as shown, a suitable supplementary receiver 37 connected to the upper leg of the bypass, a suitable valve 38 being provided in this connection so that the receiver may be cut out when not needed.

In the operation of my improved construction, let us assume that the excess head is that indicated betweenthe dotted lines in Fig. 1. Under such a state of facts, the valve mechanism 13, 15 will belocated at a point slightly below the bottom dotted line. In the starting of the system, air will be supplied from the receiver in the usual manner through the pipe 3, a certain amount of the same passing down through the down pipe 4 and through the then closed valve mechanism 13, 15 tothe pump 5 at the bottom of thewe-ll. Due to the fact that the head of water tobe pumped is greater than the capacity of the compressor, no water may be forced up into the booster. 'However, a certain portion of the air admitted from the pipe 3'and into the T 22, will pass up through the passages 24 and beneath the piston 20 and thereby cause the latter to rise within the cylinder 21 to the upper limit established by the adjustable member 30. This will cause the valve 15 to be lifted in such a manner as to clear the ports 14 and thus permit the air supplied to the down pipe 4 to pass out through the openings 14 and form an emulsion with the additional head in such a manner as to blow the same up into the booster casing 7. If desired, the valve 36 may` not be used during this operation, but in a preferred form the same is adjusted to such a position that as soon as the additional head has been thus blown o the pressure admitted through the bypass 33, 34, 35 and acting on the upper surface of the piston, will equalize the pressure acting on the lower surface thereof so that the piston will then drop of its own weight and as a result cause the member 15 to be lowered in such a manner as to close the ports 14 and direct the entire volume cf pressure iuid down into the pump 5, whereupon the entire system will function in its normal manner. y

In connection with the use of my improvement, it will be noted that through the disposition of the ports 14 in staggered relation, it .is possible to provide for a limited upward movement of the valve member 15 in such a manner as to graduate the amount of air dischargedv through the ports in question. It will also be noted that the amount of movement of the valve member may be regulated from a point above ground by a simple adjustment of the adjustable member 30. Attention is also directed to the fact that the time element intervening between the opening of the ports 14 and the l closure thereof by the member 15 may be regulated as desired from the adjustment of' the needle valve 36, and that when for any reason it is desired to increase this time element, the supplemental receiver 37 may be placed in communication with the upper branch of the bypass. Attention is also directed to the fact that due to the provision of a. hollow valve member, 15, there is little or no interruption of the flow of fluid through the down pipe 4 during the normal operation of the system, and that through the use of a pipe for the connection 19 practically the entire area of the downI pipe is rendered available for normal air supply purposes. It will also be noted that through the provision of the taper fit between the lower` end of the valve member 15 and the inner -face of the cooperating valve seat 13, a self-cleaning fit is provided adapted t'o keep open the apertures or ports 14, and to wear ti ht as the device is used. It will also be evi ent that through the use of the adjusting nuts for the piston 20, any danger of sticking or jamming of the valve l5 may be readily prevented. Attention should here, however, be directed to the fact that a small amount of leakage through this valve will not in any way interfere with 'the operation of the system, as the air leaking therefrom will, instead, assist in lifting the ascending column'of liquid forced up by the air escaping from the pump 5. These and various other advantages of my improvement will, however, be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it is to be understood that the same is not limited thereto but may be modified in various other forms without departing from its spirit, it being my intention to include. all such modiiications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an air lift system, air lift mechanism operable against a given head, and means automatically operative on starting of said air lift mechanism to discharge an excess head and thereafter to shut down during the continued operation of said air lift mechanism, said means including a piston adapted to be substantially sequentially subjected to live fluid pressure on opposite ends.

2. In an air lift system, air lift mechanism operable against a given head, means automatically operative on starting of said air lift mechanism to supply an auxiliary pumping fluid discharge to discharge an excess head and after a predetermined interval to shut down during the remainder of the operation of said air lift mechanism, said means including a member operable in opposite directions and adapted to be subjected to fluid pressure on opposite sides thereof, and means whereby .when the pressure is admitted to one side of said device the shut-down occurs.

3. In an air liftv system comprising a plurality of pumping lfluid discharge elements, mechanism for controlling one of said elements including means actuated by fluid pressure in said system, and means utilizing the pressure fluid in said system and adapted to allow a time interval be'- tween vthe starting and stopping of fluid discharge through said element.

4. In an air lift system comprising a lplurality of pumping fluid discharge elements and means for opening and closing one of said elements including mechanism for controlling the time interval between the starting and discontinuation of fluid discharge through said element by the Huid under pressure in said system.

5. In an air lift system, air lift mechanism, a blow-olf valve connected therein, and means automatically operative on initial supply of pumping luid to said system to cause a discharge of pumping fluid through said blow-off valve and to permanently subsequently close said valve for the duration of the operation' of the system, said means v-the operation of one of said elements,

having provision to regulate the interval between the opening and closure of said blow-0H valve.

6. In an air lift system comprising a plu rality of pumping fluid discharge elements, a valve having an actuating rod controlling one of said elements, a piston mounted thereon, a cylinder cooperating therewith, and means utilizing the pressure fluid which actuates said piston to cause a time interval between opening and closing said valve.

7 In an air lift system comprising a plurality ofv pumping fluid discharge elements, a valve for controlling one of saidA elements, a movable member for controlling the operation of said valve, means for controlling the time interval of opening and closing said valve, and means for limiting the movement of said movable member.

8. In an air lift system comprising a plurality of pumping fluid discharge elements, mechanism for controlling one of said elements including an operating piston. a cylinder therefor, and means for controlling the time interval between the starting and discontinuation of fluid discharge through said elements including means whereby one side of said piston is subjected to operating pressure to cause immediate movement thereof, and the other side of said piston is subjected to the operating pressurev at a later period to allow reverse movement.

9. In an air lift system comprising a plu rality of pumping fluid discharge elenionts, and mechanism for controlling one of said elements including means adapted to be subjected to different pressure conditions at dif.- ferent intervals of time, said means being operative, on being subjected to one pressure condition to effect element and on being Asubjected to a different pressure condition to effect a different control of said element.

10. In an air lift system comprising a plurality of pumping fluid discharge elements,

mechanism for controlling one of said elements including a member adapted to be subjected to the fluid pressure in said system and operative when so subjected, to effect a given control of said element, and means for neutralizing said first applied pressure to cause a dierent control of said element to be effected.

11. In a pumping system comprising a plurality of pumping fluid discharge elements, means for starting and interrupting and means operable by the pressure fluid in said system for allowing a the starting and the interruptionv of the operation of said element including a receiver member adapted to mcrease the time` in' terval.

12. In a `pumping system comprising a plurality of pumping fluid discharge elea given control of said.

time interval between ments, means for starting and interrupting the operation of one of said elements, and means operable by the pressure fluid in said system for allowing a time interval between the starting and the interruption of the operation of said elements including a receiver member adapted to increase the time interval by use of a volume of fluid greater than that necessary for the operation of said fluid operated means.

13. In a pumping system comprising a plurality ofl pumping fluid discharge elements, means for starting and interrupting the operation of one of said elements, means operable by the pressure fluid in said system for allowing a time interval between the starting and the interruption of the operation of said element including a `receiver member into which pressure fluid is adapted to discharge to increase lthe time interval, and means for regulating the rate of said discharge.

14. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, a submerged blow-0H valve, automatically acting means for permanently closing said valve after a predetermined period, and means adjustable frointlie exterior of said mechanism for varying the duration' of said period by 'controlling a flow of fluid diverted from the supply of fluid used in said system.

15. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, a submerged blow-olf valve, automatically acting means for closing said valve after a predetermined period, and means for varying the duration -of said period by controlling allow of fluid diverted from the supply of fluid used in said system. 16. Inan air lift system, an air lift pump, a submerged blow-0E valve, means for c losing said valve after a predetermined per1od,

and means for varying the duration of said period by controllinga flow of liuid diverted from the supply of fluid used in said system.

17. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, supply means therefor having openings therein, piston connected to said valve, a cooperating cylinder, and means for conducting live pressure fluid from said supply means to the opposite sides of. said piston.

18. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, supply means therefor having openings therein, a valve controlling said openings, a piston connected to said valve for actuvting the same, `a cooperating cylinder; means -for supplying live pressure fluid to both ends of said cylinder, and manually controlled means operable from the exterior of said mechanism for opposite sides of said piston.

Y 19. In `an air lift system, anair lift pump, continuous supplyv means therefor having .ports therein, a port controlling valve, a.' \pist on connectedto said valve for actuating the same, a cooperating cylinder, means balancing the pressure on the.

a valve controlling said openings, a

for supplying live pressure fluid from said supply means to both sides of said piston, and means for manually controlling the movement of said piston.

20. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, supply means therefor having ports therein, a port controlling valve, apiston connected to said valve, a cooperating cylinder, means for supplying pressure from said supply means to one side of said piston, and a bypass continuously open during the operation of the' pump between the opposite ends of said cylinder for equalizing the pressures therein.

21. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, supply means therefor having ports therein, a port controlling valve, a piston connected to said valve, a cooperating closed cylinder, means for supplying pressure from said supply means to one side of said piston, a by; pass connected between the opposite ends of said cylinder for equalizing the pressures therein, and means for controlling the flow of fluid through said bypass.

22. In an alr lift device, an air lift pump, continuous supply means therefor, a valve seat member carried in the supply means, a cooperating valve member therefor, and means to control the operation of said valve member comprisin a device having opposed surfaces on whic fluid pressure is adapted to act and whose opposite movements are governed by the pressures von the opposite sides thereof, said device being continually in free communication at one side with the operating pressure and communicating through a restricted orifice continuously on its opposite side with said pressure, said orifice adapted to control the time interval in the operation of said valve.

23. In an air liftv pump having a valve for blowing off excess head, controlling means for said valve comprising a-cylinder closed to the atmosphere, and a piston therein, one end of said cylinder having free communication with said air lift supply and the other end having a restricted manually controlled connection therewith through which fluid flows to allow`its full operating effect after said valve is opened.

24. In an air lift system, an air lift pump, supply means therefor having ports therein, a port controlling valve, a piston connected to said valve, a cooperating cylinder, means for supplying pressure fromV said supply means to one side of said piston, a bypass connectedbetween the opposite ends of saidn cylinder, means for controlling the fiow of fluid through said bypass, and a receiver connected to said bypass.

25. In an air lift device, an air lift pump, supply means therefor, a ported valve seat member carried in said supply means-havingaJ tapered valve seat on its inner p'eriph ery, a cooperating hollow' valve member hav--` ing a tapered portion slidable relative to said seat and movable to open or close the ports therein, and means for adjusting said Valve member including a hollow member disposed within said supply means and connected to said valve and having communication at its opposite ends with the interior of said supply means.

26. In an air lift pump, a riser pipe, an aerating fluid discharge means cooperating with said riser pipe and operative to aerate the'column of liquid therein when the head is not in excess of a predetermined amount, a supplemental aerating fluid discharge means cooperating'with said riser and adapted to discharge any head therefrom in excess of the head againstlwhich said first mentioned aerating fluid discharge means is operative, means for connecting `said aerating fluid discharge means with a source of aerating fluid supply, means controlling the supply of fluid to said 'second mentioned aerating fluid discharge means to effect an initial discharge therethrough and to thereafter permanently'interrupt the same, means operated by the pressure supplied to said connecting means for operating said controlling means, said latter means including a single piston, and means to vary the time interval during the plurality of operations.

27. In an air lift pump, a riser pipe, an aerating fluid discharge mechanism cooperating with said riser pipe and operative to aerate the column of liquid therein when the head is not in excess of a predetermined amount, and a supplemental aerating fluid discharge mechanism cooperating with said riser and adapted to discharge any head therefrom in excess of the head against which said first mentioned aerating fluid discharge mechanism is operative, means for connecting said aerating fluid discharge mechanism with a source of pumping fluid supply, means controlling the supply of fluid 'to said second mentioned aerating fluid discharge mechanism, means operated by the pressure supplied to said first mentioned means for operating said controlling means,

said last mentioned means being operative llO lapse of time during which the excess head is discharged, and means whereby said pressure fluid controls said predetermined lapse Of time.

v 28. In an air liftv system, the combination including a pump, 'a booster', an auxiliary pump, and means for automatically starting and stopping said latter pump. .1

29. In an air lift system, the combinatlo including a down pipe, a pump nearl the lower end thereof, a booster near-the upper thereof, a booster near the upper end thereend thereof, and an auxiliary pump therebe- 0f, and an accelerator therebetween adapted ,tween adapted to initially discharge an exto initially discharge an excess head of fluid cess head of iuid to be pumped. toibe pumped.

5 30. In an air lift system, the combination In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

including a pipe for conducting the liquid l to 'be pumped, a pump near the lower end JOHN OLIPI-IANT. 

